The Aztecs need more backfield runs like this 31-yarder from Walter Kazee. (Charlie Neuman / Union-Tribune)

As the San Diego State football team turns the corner on the first half of the season, a major problem that emerged in Week 1 at the Rose Bowl continues to be a point of emphasis for coach Brady Hoke.

“I'd like to run the ball better,” he said.

Following Saturday's 38-28 loss to No. 18 BYU, in which his Aztecs rushed for a season-low 20 yards, the team slipped from 114th in the country to 119th in rushing offense out of 120 FBS teams. The Aztecs average 68.33 yards per game. Only Bowling Green is worse, averaging 67.57 yards per game.

Part of it is inconsistency on the offensive line, part of it is injuries in the running back corps, part of it is turnovers and part of it is playing from behind. SDSU is averaging 2.9 rushing yards on first down this season, forcing them into longer second- and third-down situations.

“I'd rather see that number at 3.9,” Hoke said.

His Aztecs (2-4, 0-2 MWC), head to Colorado State this week before returning home for three-straight games at Qualcomm Stadium. And at the season's halfway point, there are some positives he sees for his team to build on.

“There has been great effort on both sides of the ball,” Hoke said. “There's a toughness we're starting to see on a more consistent basis.”

But there has also been some regression. He chastised his defense for missing tackles in the open field against BYU and he called the defensive line play embarrassing, taking responsibility since he is their position coach.

“That's where it starts,” he said. “I have to do a better job preparing guys to go play. You play the games to win and when you don't win, there is that self-examination. We had an opportunity to win and didn't play well enough. That starts with coaching.”

Injury Update

Offensive lineman
Alec Johnson
will undergo an MRI exam today on his left knee, which he injured in the loss to BYU. He was replaced at left guard by
Erik Quinones
. When asked if Johnson would miss the CSU game, Hoke said “I would say so right now.”

Cornerback
Romeo Horn
, who hasn't played all season with a foot injury, ran with the team at yesterday's practice, which Hoke called a positive.

Penalty progress

After a horrific two-game stretch against Southern Utah and Idaho, where the Aztecs tallied 17 penalties for 165 yards, the team has cut back drastically on its mental mistakes.

In the past three games, SDSU has just seven penalties for 56 yards.

“I think you have to give credit to the kids,” Hoke said. “We talk about penalties a lot and how championship teams are disciplined and smart and don't hurt themselves. Give them credit for understanding that part of what we're trying to get done. It became an emphasis.”